Elementary

Beyond the Basics

Lower Elementary

Lower Elementary marks a new beginning, the start of our student's academic careers. K-2nd grade students days are full of excitement, new experiences, and possibilities beyond their own imaginations. While the curriculum for the Lower Elementary teaches students the basics of Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art and Technology, it takes a rather bolder approach of focusing on the importance of Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration, hereby establishing a solid foundation for their education.

Pilibos is leading the way in 21st Century Learning by implementing an innovative teaching style called Design-Based Learning.

Design Based Learning, commonly known as DBL, is based on Educator Doreen Nelson’s Method of “sneaking up on learning”. DBL is a student initiated and student directed method of learning meant to ignite creativity and develop problem-solving strategies, which integrate creative experiences into all aspects of the curriculum.

Through DBL’s various criteria and methods, innate creativity and problem-solving capacities are nurtured, challenged, and inspired. This program focuses not only on understanding one’s own thought process, but also allows students to visualize and understand thinking and solving through tangible projects that demand “Never-Before-Seen” solutions to everyday problems. By instilling such skills at a young age and primary levels of education, students continue to build on their capacity for creativity throughout their school years through less methodized and more creative, critical, and in depth thinking.

Benefits of DBL:

In truth, the possibilities for growth and success seem endless when using the DBL program to help drive the curriculum. With this integration, DBL provideds our lower elementary level students with dynamic tools and methods that helps students:

easily identify problems.

implement unique solutions.

increase their self-esteem and self-efficacy.

make logical connections.

use technology and resources effectively and creatively.

increase social and communication skills.

connect learning with real-world solutions.

learn through trial and error.

make interdisciplinary connections.

further develop higher order thinking.

Upper Elementary

Soaring Ever Higher

The Rose and Alex Pilibos Elementary is abuzz with learning, fun and a growing awareness of each student’s impact on the larger community and the world. An atmosphere of joy, kindness, and respect permeates our campus. Our students are immersed in a stimulating academic environment and encouraged to try new things, make new friends, and discover or grow a passion through our rigorous and relevant curriculum and intentionally designed co-curricular opportunities. We aim to ignite a lifelong love of learning and guiding children to grow intellectually and personally and to develop an exemplary character. The faculty is committed to creating a respectful environment that fosters academic, social, and emotional success.

In Upper Elementary, students further strengthen and build upon the core curricular basics of Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. In all curricular areas, concepts become more complex and detailed as the student’s knowledge and reasoning abilities expand. Teachers integrate many hands on activities, field trips, service learning, and project based learning into the academic program. Experiences are provided that stimulate learning in all developmental areas—physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. Our goal is to create a child-centered environment that fosters positive self-esteem, critical thinking skills and an enthusiasm for learning.